Contest Inspires International Businesses to Tap Into Online Resources CHICAGO, June 13
CHICAGO, June 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Alibaba.com announces the five North
American E-Business Champions of 2008: Jane Ivanov, Elena Neitlich, Gene
Rumley, Brandon Dupsky and Phil Weil. This annual contest, held in the U.S.
for the first time, recognizes credibility, achievement and innovation among
entrepreneurs using the Internet as a tool for business.
Sponsored by Alibaba.com, the world's largest online business-to-business
marketplace for global trade, the contest hopes to inspire international
businesses to think about the added possibilities the online world offers.
Contestants submitted and posted their e-commerce success stories on
Alibaba.com, which were evaluated by judges and the level of interest from
online forum members. The chosen contestants won a trip to the Chicago
E-Business Champions Award Ceremony at 6:30 p.m., June 18 at the University of
Chicago's Gleacher Center. In addition, they are entered into a pool to win an
all-expenses paid trip to China for the Global E-Business Champions of the
Year Award Ceremony in Hangzhou in August.
2008 E-Business Champions
Jane Ivanov
Founder and CEO of Eve Alexander LLC, located in Indianapolis, Ind.,
Ivanov has been an Alibaba.com member since 2004. While she was pregnant with
her first son, she realized how difficult it was to find attractive lingerie
available to pregnant women. So, she set out to change that with
EveAlexander.com, maternity and nursing lingerie and apparel. Before
launching her new business, Ivanov utilized Alibaba.com to find the right
manufacturer to produce her product line at a reasonable cost.
Elena Neitlich
As a solution to her child's sleeping problem, Neitlich, co-founder and
CEO of MomsOnEdge.com, created new products to elicit peace, quiet and good
behavior in children. Neitlich's company, located in Osprey, Fla., fills an
untapped niche in the children's market - parenting tools that reduce stress
and improve family time. Using games, toys and techniques to which children
immediately respond, Neitlich attracted the attention of parents everywhere.
Working on a tight budget, she needed manufactures that were willing to make
only a small quantity of goods. She found the perfect match through
Alibaba.com in 2005.
Gene Rumley
Rumley decided to tap into Alibaba.com after he received high quotes from
domestic translation service providers for his fuel and oil treatment products
company called BellPerformance, Inc., located in Lake Mary, Fla. Originally a
company with all domestic buyers, Rumley decided to look beyond American
boundaries to access a worldwide base through the resources at Alibaba.com. As
a member since 2006, he has started using the online marketplace as a resource
for personal projects as well.
Brandon Dupsky
As owner and CEO of OnFair.com, Dupsky used the power of technology and
e-business to launch his Lincoln, Neb. company in the global market.
OnFair.com, an online retailer specializing in consumer electronics and
surplus inventory, has a projected 2008 revenue of $1 million. Creating
relationships with international suppliers and buyers through Alibaba.com,
Dupsky was able to have a more competitive and profitable supply channel for
his online business. Previously sourcing domestically in the United States, he
was no longer able to compete in the global market because of the added
expense. Alibaba.com linked him directly to international manufactures, which
allowed him to give savings back to the consumers and revitalize his business.
Phil Weil
Before Weil decided to go into the fan business in San Diego, Calf., he
used Alibaba.com to find the right manufacturers for his products.
Decobreeze.com, a manufacturer and distributor of decorative, home decor
products, started as a collection of fans. After some time, Weil decided if he
wanted to grow his business he needed to adapt to his customers specific
needs. So he started developing new items for the retailers and distributors
and again sourced the products through Alibaba.com for quick and effective
factory contacts in a variety of product types. Weil describes Alibaba.com as
"a tool that takes us mere mortals and transforms us into superheroes by the
click of the mouse."
About Alibaba.com Limited
Alibaba.com (HKSE: 1688), a member of the Alibaba Group of companies, is
the world's leading B2B e-commerce company. Alibaba.com runs an international
marketplace (http://www.alibaba.com) focusing on global importers and
exporters and a China marketplace (http://www.alibaba.com.cn) focusing on
suppliers and buyers trading domestically in China. Together, its marketplaces
form a community of around 30 million registered users from over 240 countries
and regions.
SOURCE Alibaba.com
